Data Collection, Storage and Security

A mHealth intervention will more than likely be implemented based on data collected from the user, either directly through specified input/interaction or via the use of sensors. Regardless of the direct or unobtrusive method used to retrieve these data from the user, the data will usually be processed as part of the function of the intervention. The opportunity to tailor responses based on individual need offers powerful advantages for mHealth interventions and personalised health care. The collection, storage, transmission and other processing of data also brings with it a host of other important considerations. These include technical issues, such as how to store and transmit data, which formats to use and which structures to store data in, such as structured and unstructured databases. Additionally we need to consider the legal implications of processing personal data as well as the technical issues surrounding security and prevention of data loss/breaches. This chapter takes a look at some of these topics, ranging from technical challenges to legal issues surrounding the use of data in mHealth interventions.